South Carolina’s 2022 season key games that can make or break the season for the Gamecocks
August 13, 2022
South Carolina’s offseason high is nearing an end with high hopes and wins dancing in the head of most Gamecock fans. The Gamecocks start off with Georgia State the Gamecocks' home opener at Williams-Brice Stadium for the 2022 season. With Coach Beam and Rattler at the controls, fans hold on to what can be a good season if the Gamecocks can when there key games to build the momentum needed to carry them through a winning season and a News Year bowl. In parting words heading into this article, if South Carolina is going to capitalize on last year’s surprising 7-6 campaign, these three games figure to be keys to a New Year's Bowl and better days for the Gamecock football program.
START OFF WITH SOUTH CAROLINA AT ARKANSAS ON SEPT. 10
Arkansas the game changer for the very early part of the season can change the ceiling for the 2022 Gamecock team if the Gamecocks can leave Fayetteville with a win. Sam Pittman’s crew was picked to finish third in the SEC West by the league’s media members last month and bring back one of the conference’s best quarterbacks in signal-caller K.J. Jefferson. That said, there’s reason to think the Gamecocks can spring an upset in their first road contest of the year. Arkansas has to replace All-SEC receiver Treylon Burks a first-round draft pick this past spring by the Tennessee Titans among a handful of other playmakers.
Getting a team adjusting its offensive identity early in the season feels like a positive for South Carolina. Gamecocks don’t have to win this one, but with Georgia looming in Week 3, the Gamecocks are staring a 1-2 start square in the face (assuming they take care of Georgia State) if they fall in Fayetteville.
MUST WIN SOUTH CAROLINA AT KENTUCKY ON OCT. 8
In a series that was remarkably lopsided from its first iteration in 1981 through the Steve Spurrier years, Kentucky has flipped the script against South Carolina over the last decade. The Wildcats have won seven of the previous eight meetings between the two teams. The Gamecocks also haven’t won in Lexington since 2012, when Joker Phillips was still the head coach at Kentucky.
Mark Stoops and his staff bring back Will Levis at quarterback, giving the Wildcats stability at the sports’ most crucial position. However, replacing do-it-all offensive weapon Wan’Dale Robinson along with offensive coordinator Liam Coen is a stiff test. Recent history as noted suggests Kentucky has the edge in this one. But don’t be surprised if Beamer’s squad gives the Wildcats a run for their money in this one.
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. TENNESSEE NOV. 19
A win against the Volunteers at home in November would help with high New Year's bowl hopes.
Tennessee’s offense took a step forward in Year 1 under Josh Heupel, finishing fourth in the SEC in passing and third in rushing and total offense in 2021. Quarterback Hendon Hooker is back as the trigger man for that unit, along with a talented group of receivers that includes Cedric Tillman and Irmo product Jalin Hyatt. As good as Tennessee’s offense might be this year, though, the Volunteers have plenty of questions on the defensive side. Heupel’s squad allowed 500 yards or more in five contests last year including more than 600 yards in games against Kentucky and Purdue.
It’s hard to peg exactly what the South Carolina offense will look like by November, but Tennessee figures to be susceptible if the Gamecocks defense can hold its own.
SOUTH CAROLINA 2022 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
[/B] 2022 FB SCHEDULE 2021/2020/2019/2018/2017/2016
[B]
August 13, 2022
South Carolina’s offseason high is nearing an end with high hopes and wins dancing in the head of most Gamecock fans. The Gamecocks start off with Georgia State the Gamecocks' home opener at Williams-Brice Stadium for the 2022 season. With Coach Beam and Rattler at the controls, fans hold on to what can be a good season if the Gamecocks can when there key games to build the momentum needed to carry them through a winning season and a News Year bowl. In parting words heading into this article, if South Carolina is going to capitalize on last year’s surprising 7-6 campaign, these three games figure to be keys to a New Year's Bowl and better days for the Gamecock football program.
START OFF WITH SOUTH CAROLINA AT ARKANSAS ON SEPT. 10
Arkansas the game changer for the very early part of the season can change the ceiling for the 2022 Gamecock team if the Gamecocks can leave Fayetteville with a win. Sam Pittman’s crew was picked to finish third in the SEC West by the league’s media members last month and bring back one of the conference’s best quarterbacks in signal-caller K.J. Jefferson. That said, there’s reason to think the Gamecocks can spring an upset in their first road contest of the year. Arkansas has to replace All-SEC receiver Treylon Burks a first-round draft pick this past spring by the Tennessee Titans among a handful of other playmakers.
Getting a team adjusting its offensive identity early in the season feels like a positive for South Carolina. Gamecocks don’t have to win this one, but with Georgia looming in Week 3, the Gamecocks are staring a 1-2 start square in the face (assuming they take care of Georgia State) if they fall in Fayetteville.
MUST WIN SOUTH CAROLINA AT KENTUCKY ON OCT. 8
In a series that was remarkably lopsided from its first iteration in 1981 through the Steve Spurrier years, Kentucky has flipped the script against South Carolina over the last decade. The Wildcats have won seven of the previous eight meetings between the two teams. The Gamecocks also haven’t won in Lexington since 2012, when Joker Phillips was still the head coach at Kentucky.
Mark Stoops and his staff bring back Will Levis at quarterback, giving the Wildcats stability at the sports’ most crucial position. However, replacing do-it-all offensive weapon Wan’Dale Robinson along with offensive coordinator Liam Coen is a stiff test. Recent history as noted suggests Kentucky has the edge in this one. But don’t be surprised if Beamer’s squad gives the Wildcats a run for their money in this one.
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. TENNESSEE NOV. 19
A win against the Volunteers at home in November would help with high New Year's bowl hopes.
Tennessee’s offense took a step forward in Year 1 under Josh Heupel, finishing fourth in the SEC in passing and third in rushing and total offense in 2021. Quarterback Hendon Hooker is back as the trigger man for that unit, along with a talented group of receivers that includes Cedric Tillman and Irmo product Jalin Hyatt. As good as Tennessee’s offense might be this year, though, the Volunteers have plenty of questions on the defensive side. Heupel’s squad allowed 500 yards or more in five contests last year including more than 600 yards in games against Kentucky and Purdue.
It’s hard to peg exactly what the South Carolina offense will look like by November, but Tennessee figures to be susceptible if the Gamecocks defense can hold its own.
SOUTH CAROLINA 2022 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
[/B] 2022 FB SCHEDULE 2021/2020/2019/2018/2017/2016
| Date |
|
Opponent | TV Time | Score |
| 9/03 |
|
Georgia St. | ESPN+ | 7:30pm |
| 9/10 |
|
@ Arkansas | ESPN | Noon |
| 9/17 |
|
Georgia | ESPN | Noon |
| 9/24 |
|
Charlotte 49ers | ||
| 10/01 |
|
SC State | ||
| 10/08 |
|
@ Kentucky | ||
| 10/15 | Open date | |||
| 10/22 |
|
Texas A&M | ||
| 10/29 |
|
Missouri | ||
| 11/05 |
|
@ Vanderbilt | ||
| 11/12 |
|
@ Florida | ||
| 11/19 |
|
Tennessee | ||
| 11/26 |
|
@ Clemson | ||
